Ralf Blames Handling for Lack of Pace

While Trulli has taken three front-row starts and two podium finishes from the first four races, Schumacher has struggled to match him and has just a fourth and a fifth placed finish to show for his efforts.

Although the team believe that part of the problem may be down to the fact that Schumacher may not be able to heat up his tyres as well as Trulli for the all-important single qualifying laps, Schumacher claims the problem lies in another area.

"With the Williams my advantage was mainly under braking," said Schumacher, whose best results have usually come on circuits that demand heavy braking. "I regularly braked seven to 10 metres later than my teammate, but I cannot do that with the Toyota.

"If I did I would be too slow out of the corners. And if you realize that you do not have an advantage in one area, then you have to adapt your driving style and find the right compromise."